Chapter V

With Friends like These Who Needs Anemeny's?

Chuck sauntered into the cloudy courtyard, patting his inner blazer pocket where his all too handy flask was located. He'd taken covert sips throughout the morning, and was feeling that relevant hazy buzz which accompanied superior scotch. He smirked as he recalled Mr Henderson's face in literature, when he'd requested to go to the bathroom for the tenth time in one class. He'd forgotten how amusing annoying teachers could be, maybe there was something to attending classes after all. Or maybe he was just teetering on the edge of having a little too much to drink.

He paused near the bottom of the stairs, throwing his satchel carelessly onto the worn stone railing. He smoothed down his retrieved scarf and watching as the other students who had just escaped class fiddled with their lockers, or ran across the courtyard shouting obscenities to each other and laughing. He spotted Serena, talking with Izz, her face scrunched up in perplexment. He guessed it was probably about verb conjugations, or perhaps she was just lamenting the fact that she was having a bad hair day. He contemplated approaching her, teasing her did bring him some delight, and he was in want of anything better to do.

Then he spotted another blonde striding across the courtyard, deep in thought. His plans quickly changed.

"Nathaniel," he called out lazily to his best friend. Nate glanced up, and a grin broke across his face. He broke into a jog and came to a stop at the bottom of the railing, looking up at Chuck.

"Hey, I haven't seen you in a few days man," he said. "I heard you got busted by Queller this morning for playing hooky."

Chuck grimaced; word certainly had gone around, especially with the gossip girl post. Despite his attempt to forget this morning's transgressions people had been hooting and catcalling about it all day. It wasn't the fact that Chuck had done something wrong, that was always a given. The scandal was that Chuck Bass, the great, the devilish Chuck Bass, had been caught.

"Was Bart pretty pissed?" Nate asked after an awkward pause. He watched Chuck carefully, trying to keep a neutral face though he glanced uncomfortably down at his scuffed sneakers. He was well aware of Chuck's complicated dynamic with Bart.

"Nothing I can't handle," Chuck drawled, hiding his uneasiness behind a smirk. He quickly searched his head for another subject, and alighted upon an idea. "Speaking of recent events, what are you doing after school?" he enquired, smirking at Nate.

"I was going to meet up with Vanessa" Nate stated carefully, looking up at Chuck with apprehension. He was all too familiar with Chuck's tendency to ensnare him in plan's which began and ended with trouble. "Why?" he enquired, as Chuck made a face at the Brooklynites distasteful name. Nate and Vanessa had started hanging out again recently, and Chuck had been very vocal about his disapproval of the impending match.

"Well, it's a good thing I can rescue you from substandard company then," Chuck drawled, leaning casually on the railing he surveyed the landscape, carefully not looking at Nate.

"I like hanging out with Vanessa," Nate protested, frowning disapprovingly at Chuck's snobbish attitude. "You've never even given her a chance man."

Chuck shrugged lazily, "Fish have to swim in the murky waters of Brooklyn, eating two dollar tacos from unhygienic stands. And birds have to fly above them in private jets, devouring imported caviar. It's the natural order of things Nathanial."

Nate couldn't help a small smile tugging at his lips at this ridiculous analogy, tearing asunder the disapproving frown. He surrendered and laughed, shaking his head at Chuck.

"Where do you get this stuff?" he queried, he was always amazed at Chuck's ability to put snobbishness into articulate nonsensical sentences, which made perfect sense to him apparently. It was one of the many talents he shared with Blair. "Never mind," he quickly rectified his statement as Chuck trained his hazel eyes upon him, and raised an eyebrow, opening his lips to no doubt drawl his familiar three word explanation. "So, if I weren't to hang out with Vanessa, what were you planning? A boy's night?"

Chuck shut his mouth with a snap and smirked in a way which made Nate slightly uneasy. It was the look his friend had upon his face before he'd convinced Serena in fifth grade that a fish oil tablet was a jellybean. It did not bode well for anyone involved.

"What say you to broadening your social horizons Nathaniel, bringing them to new heights?"

"What do you mean?" Nate asked carefully.

"I mean," Chuck leaned forward over the railing, looking excited as an idea sprouted the fertile soil that was his devious mind. "Going down in history, immortalized forever in the memory of St Judes and Constance Billiard. Imagine our names upon the lips of every girl and boy who ever walks these halls."

"I think Gossip Girl already took care of that," Nate pointed out dryly. He had been the butt of many malicious rumours throughout the year, especially with his Father going AWOL recently. Not only that but he was certain the whole Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate love square was going to be the subject of discussion in the school long after they graduated.

"Yes, but what if this time we were to call the shots." Chuck dismissed his cynicism carelessly. "Be the glamorous legends we are once more. Taking up the mantle of eternal Kings of this school."

"How are we going to do that exactly?" he queried, amused. He had to admit, that Chuck with his eloquent language, had begun to lure him in.

"We're going to perform the ultimate mockery of this hypocritical institution called a school. We are going to sit on the committee for alcohol and drug awareness, plan the event with great care. Then we're going to have an after party of absolute and total decadence, the best booze and drug stirred party this school has ever seen, or will ever see."

Nate took a minute to absorb this, then rolled his eyes as he realised what Chuck's sudden grand vision was really about. "I'm not going to do time with you man," he stated. He'd already heard what the penalty for Chuck's absences had been, and he certainly was not willing to share it with his friend. He already had enough to deal with, lacrosse practice, homework, and trying to understand the odd pull he had for Vanessa, while simultaneously trying not to look at Serena. Being on a lame committee was not his idea of productive leisure time, even if it was with his best friend.

Chuck bit his tongue at Nate's outright rejection. His first response was to offer him money, an allusion to his summer indiscretions with an older woman, but he quickly stilled his spiteful nature. Nate was his friend, and if Chuck was anything it was loyal.

"It's not about doing time," he changed tact. He omitted the fact that it certainly was about him not wanting to be stuck, alone and vulnerable, in a room with Blair and her minions (who were on every respectable committee available). "It's about our legacy Nathanial. When you look back on senior year, do you want it to be the year that was pathetic. The year we lost our status in this school to the stone jocks like Josh Gardener. Or do you want it to be the year that was?"

"Actually I wouldn't mind a boring uneventful year for once," Nate murmured, he was only lending one ear to Chuck now, losing interest in the discussion now he realised the true motive was not to his taste. His eyes scanned the courtyard and couldn't help resting upon a tall blonde, who was consequently sitting on one of the stone tables next to a black haired newcomer. Nate frowned as Serena laughed aloud at something the boy said, throwing back her mane of blonde, and opening her mouth wide to send out that unique childish sound.

"Who's that guy?" he queried, frowning and cutting off Chuck as he began expounding more dreams of senior royalty, which was basically all bullshit to co erce Nate into going with him. Chuck paused in his words, recognising he had lost Nate to a stronger allure he followed his friends line of sight.

"I think his names Darren or something, he's a new kid," Chuck commented, glancing with narrowed eyes at Serena and the boy, then down at to bristling Nate. "Is there a problem Nathanial?"

"No, no problem," Nate quickly shook himself from his staring (or glaring would be more accurate). He glanced up at Chuck and gave one of those easy smiles, showing pearly white teeth and a dimple. "Just wondering, that's all."

Before Chuck could probe further he spotted Mistress Queller with some interesting company. His smirk reappeared, and his feelings of superiority heightened. He checked his phone and realised it was just on time. Without taking his eyes off the spectacle he typed a quick message to Eric and sent it. Nate was also glancing at the sight, as were all the students, as Mistress Queller, looking decidedly unimpressed, entered the courtyard with two police officers in tow. The police officers were smirking superiorly as they looked at the school kids, swaggering along with one hand resting on that all important gun holster. Some sophomore girls were watching them with interest, giggling behind their hands.

Nate's eyes, typically, went straight to Serena. He noted with a frown that the new boy was whispering something into her ear, and she was leaning close to hear it, looking concerned.

"What do you reckons happening?" Nate asked, glancing up at Chuck, his brows drawn.

"Something exciting no doubt," Chuck drawled, giving a devilish grin. Nate followed Chuck's line of sight and realised he was talking about the cops. Chuck grabbed his satchel and hooked it over his shoulder.

"You going somewhere?" Nate queried, it was unlike his friend to miss out on the drama. Already students were following behind the cops, ready with phones out, despite Queller's stern approbations. He could tell Chuck was revelling in the scene, the utter uncontrolled chaos of mob mentality, especially when they could smell blood of a fallen peer. "Chuck," he prompted his smirking friend who was examining the scene with some satisfaction.

"Unfortunately I have a prior engagement," he said mysteriously. "I'll see you at lunch Nathaniel, the usual place."

Before Nate could reply Chuck was already striding purposefully up the staircase, pushing against the crowd attempting to catch a glimpse of the imposing law enforcement, and checking his phone. Nate shook his head, then found his eyes turning involuntarily back to Serena and the new guy. He watched them from a distance for a few minutes more. Serena made as if to go after the cops, then hesitated as the guy said something to her. She turned back to him and smiled, that bright sunny smile which Nate was used to being reserved for him whenever he said something endearing. Finally, having enough, he steeled himself, slinging his gym bag more firmly over his shoulder, and made his way towards the table where they were sitting.

"Serena hey," he called, trying at nonchalance, though he couldn't help examining the guy under his light lashes. He stopped at the edge of the table squarely in front of the two of them, demanding their attention. "How are you?"

"Nate," Serena looked up and smiled brightly at him, that same sunny smile, and he couldn't help a genuine grin creeping over his face. "Hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you all weekend?"

"I visited Mom," he said, avoiding her eyes. He still felt awkward with his family situation, things between his Mom and him were strained, to say the least.

"Oh," she looked at him with those wide blue eyes, understanding immediately, and Nate felt gratitude well up in him. He knew Chuck would listen if he tried to tell him his problems, and suggest a remedy. But it was weird talking to another guy. Besides Serena's look of sympathy was somehow a better balm then lighting up and forgetting the world for an hour or so. Her hand rose up unconsciously, as if to take his and Nate felt an old familiar lurch in the pit of his stomach.

At that moment the dark haired guy, who had been sitting by awkwardly watching this exchange, chose to cough as a reminder that he was still present. Serena's hand dropped instantly, and she immediately began fiddling with the rings on her fingers nervously.

"I'm sorry," she said, turning her attention back to the companion beside her. "Damien this is Nate, Nate, Damien. Damien used to go to my boarding school, he helped me out a lot with assignments and...stuff..." at the mention of this she suddenly blushed and looked slightly guilty, dropping her confident gaze from Nate's.

"Pleased to meet you," Damien said, cultured and polite like all good prep school boys were. He held out his hand and Nate took it, perhaps squeezing harder then necessary and shaking more firmly then he was usually inclined to.

"You too," he said, trying at an easy smile, he felt like it came out more as a grimace. He couldn't drag his eyes from Serena, who had her guilty look on, biting her lip and teasing her hair with her fingers. He wondered what had happened at boarding school between Damien and her. "So how are you liking it so far?" he finally asked after an awkward pause.

"It's certainly started off interesting," Damien commented, watching the now dissipated crowd, the cops had disappeared into the school while their exchange had taken place.

"Damien's signed up for the A&D committee with me," Serena supplied after another awkward pause.

"I didn't know you'd be into that sort of thing?" Nate queried, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at Serena curiously. He thought she would scoff at the idea like he had, but he was starting to wonder if maybe he didn't know her as well as he thought he did.

"Why not? It's a good cause." she suddenly bristled, "What do you mean?"

"Well...I...uh..." Nate stumbled over his words, unsure at her sudden change in temperament. The thing he liked about Serena was that she was usually bubbly, was slow to anger and quick to forgive. Today however she seemed all over the place.

"It's a good cause as well as looking good on your college application," Damien supplied, grinning.

Serena smiled at this, realising her mistake and quickly trying to rectify her sudden burst into annoyance. In normal circumstances Nate would have been grateful to any guy who bailed him out, with Damien however he just felt irritated, especially considering the self satisfied look on the other boys face.

"Yeah it does, which is why I'm signing up too," Nate proclaimed suddenly, the words leaving his mouth before he had adequate time to contemplate their significance.

"That's great," Serena squeeled, making an effort to compensate for snapping at him she graced him with a wide toothy smile. "It means we'll get to see more of each other this year. Maybe you can even show Damien the ropes and introduce him to some people.

Nate felt his face fall at her second sentence, though he tried to maintain a manly front. That wasn't what he had in mind when he proposed joining the ridiculous committee. He opened his mouth, but before he could put his thoughts into words (somewhere between an excuse of lacrosse and an attempt to lure Serena away from Damien) the bell rang indicating the drudgery of classes was to resume.

"Come on Damien, I'll show you to the library. Damien and I have a free period together but he has no navigational skills, even though our boarding school was like ten times the size of this," Serena supplied by way of explanation to Nate, hopping down from the table and brushing her skirt carelessly.

"What can I say, it's a genetic thing," Damien shrugged, smiling wanly at Serena he followed down from the table. By the look on his face Nate was pretty sure it was more of an excuse to spend time with the model blonde.

"See you after school Natie," Serena said, affectionately enveloping him in her long arms, she disengaged before he could blink and started to head towards the halls before Nate could respond.

"What's after school?" he called after Serena, bewildered and feeling like a bucket of ice water had been emptied upon his head.

"The A&DC meeting silly," she called behind her, smiling. She turned and carelessly laughed as Damien muttered something in her ear. Nate felt incredibly stupid, just standing there staring dumbly as they disappeared together into the school. He wondered, bemusedly, what the hell he had gotten himself into.

As soon as he left Nate, Chuck made his way into the boys corridors of St Judes. He didn't need to follow the police to get to the action, he knew precisely where it was going to be. As he had hoped Eric was standing in a corner, near an empty classroom door. The right wall of the corridor was filled with maroon lockers. The younger boy was looking around him in confusion and checking his phone. As soon as he spotted Chuck he looked relieved, as if he thought it had been some sort of prank.

"Why did you want to meet me? And why this corridor specifically?" he immediately interrogated the older boy as soon as he walked up to him.

"Patience is a virtue," Chuck said, gesturing with his hands to indicate the younger boy should calm down. He tried the doorknob of the classroom and sure enough it was open. Indicating that Eric should enter, he followed the younger boy inside and closed the door lightly behind him. He made sure it was slightly ajar to allow sound to filter through. The glass on the top half of the door allowed them a perfect view of the lockers and corridor in front of them. Chuck lent against the brown teachers desk and checked his phone casually.

"Patience is never a virtue when you live on the Upper East side," Eric pointed out, facing Chuck. In the world of backstabbing and twisted politics it was always best to know now rather than later.

"Don't worry," Chuck drawled, smirking he returned his phone to his pocket and planted his eyes on the glass pane, looking out into the corridor. "All will be revealed in ten, nine, eight..."

"Are you seriously counting down?" Eric asked, partly amused partly derisive. Chuck simply ignored him, keeping time with a tap of his polished shoe. With the passing of each number from his lips they could hear a crowd getting closer. Eric looked at the older boy, obviously wanting to query further, but gave it up for lost as Chuck's dark eyes didn't waver from the door. As he came down to single digits he moved closer to the door, craning to get a vantage point of further down the corridor. Eric followed suit, curious he stood on his tip toes to try to get a better view of what Chuck was watching so intently.

"...three, two, one,"

As the last syllable left Chuck's mouth some people filed into their view. The two cops strutted in, walking between them looking slightly pale, but as arrogant as ever, was Martin Grant. Mistress Queller was following the cops, looking harassed, along with a few supporting teachers and a group of students from the courtyard who would not be dissuaded, no matter the threat of detention. All the teenagers had their phones out, and no doubt they were all streaming live to gossip girl. Chuck's smirk grew wider as he anticipated what was to come next.

The cops steered Martin to a locker which was situated a few feet from the classroom door, and clearly visible from their vantage point. Eric's mouth was open, as he looked at Chuck then back at the scene. Chuck spared a glance at him, but he couldn't really see any other emotion beyond shock on Eric's face. He turned his mind away from the younger boy as the cop spoke.

"This is his locker?" one of the police officers asked Queller brusquely.

"Yes," she said, "But gentlemen really..."

The cop ignored her further protestation; turning to Martin he barked "Open it."

"I have rights," Martin heated up, typical jock. He brushed his surfer fringe from his eyes and glared at the cop arrogantly. "What happened to having a warrant?"

"You don't own the locker, the school does," the other cop, a shorter stocky young man pointed out. "So that means we don't need a warrant to do a routine search. Your principal has already agreed..."

"Yes, based on the evidence you presented. But really can't we clear out..." Queller began again, glancing concerned at the crowded students who were listening to every word with wide eyes and open phones. She obviously did not like being relieved of control. Both cops still ignored her.

"Now you can either open it, or we can get the bolt cutters," the brusque cop said, giving Matthew an unpleasant smile.

Chuck could tell the jock's little mind was working, wondering if it was worth protesting his rights to save face in front of the school. But finally he relented, his shoulders sagging.

"It's not like there's anything in there anyway, unless Playboy is illegal," he muttered grumpily. Chuck felt slight disappointment that the bolt cutters weren't required, it would have added that extra legitimacy to the scene, but one couldn't have everything.

Everyone watched with wide eyes and bated breath as Martin flicked the combination, twirling the locks small number wheel. Eventually there was the familiar click, and he flipped the locker open, giving an exaggerated bored sigh. Plastic bags filled with green leaves fell out of the bursting locker and at his feet, there would have been thirty of them. Martin stared down at them, his mouth open like a gaping fish, his eyes wide and horrified.

"What the f-" he yelled, jumping back from the packets.

"Martin Grant you're under arrest for possession of illegal substances with intent to sell." The cop began, cutting off the boy's emphatic exclamation. The silver cuffs were already in his hands, a self satisfied look on his face.

"This isn't mine," the jock blurted out as the cop turned him around. "I swear." The cop cuffing Martin rolled his eyes, as if he had heard this tired excuse countless times before.

Chuck opened the classroom door at this, grabbing Eric's arm he pulled the younger boy with him and slipped out quietly while everyone's attention was focused on Martin. He shut the door and leant against it, watching the arrest at his leisure, feeling satisfied.

"It's not mine," Martin was still protesting.

"We can talk about it at the station, Bill you can take care of this," the burly cop indicated the plastic bags, looking at his stocky partner.

"Sure," he nodded.

"I demand someone ring my lawyer," Martin cried out, obviously he'd been privy to one too many law and order episodes.

"Like I said we'll discuss it at the station, I'm sure you'll contact the parents Mistress Queller," the officer said dismissively turning before Queller could reply he started leading Martin towards the doors at the end of the corridor, away from the crowd.

"Hey Grant," Chuck drawled as the boy passed him and Eric, both leaning against the classroom door, "Make sure you don't drop the soap." He grinned at the jock, showing all his teeth. Martin hesitated as the cop tried to push him, staring at Chuck then at the younger boy with gaping mouth.

"You two did this?" he said, his face turning red as he came to the obvious conclusion. "I'll punch that smirk right off your face you ass h-"

"Hey, hey come on," the cop snapped, forcefully pushing the jock now as he made a threatening step towards Chuck. "You don't want to add resisting arrest to the charges, now do you."

Martin visibly forced himself to calm down, but his face was still red and he glared back at Chuck as he was pushed towards the exit. Chuck continued grinning, giving him a lazy salute just before he was pushed through the double doors and out of sight. Martin's threat didn't worry him, he could easily take care of an over muscled jock with an IQ of 7.

Chuck turned to Eric as Queller began dispersing the crowd at the end of the corridor. His grin had become more natural now, less predatory. He felt satisfied with his days work. Of course it was an awful waste of pot, which was being collected up, but it was worth it if he bought some peace of mind to the younger boy. Eric was looking at Chuck now, his face unreadable, Chuck felt his grin falter slightly, but he brushed away his doubts quickly.

"So what did you think?" he queried, draping his arm around the younger boys shoulders confidently.

Eric shook him off, looking grim. "I think I told you to leave it alone," he said, his voice cool. He didn't bother to elaborate, but turned and headed for the doors Martin had just exited.

"I thought you'd want revenge," Chuck said confused, quickly striding after the younger boy he grabbed his shoulder. Eric turned around obligingly, but his face was no friendlier.

"Did you listen to me at all last night?" Eric asked, shaking his head he looked at Chuck as if he was seeing him for the first time, and he didn't like what he saw.

"You think that jerk is going to learn anything from you staying quiet? People like him only understand actions, not words Eric." He was slightly derisive, surprised Eric couldn't see that this was the only way to resolve this. "You said yourself that he would end up in jail eventually, I just hurried along the process. It's justice, what is your problem with that?"

"The problem is that I didn't ask you to do this," Eric said, looking at Chuck with furrowed brows, as if he couldn't believe Chuck couldn't understand. "The problem is that when Martin gets back to school who do you think he's going to go after?"

"I've already planned for that," Chuck said dismissively.

"You just don't get it do you? I don't need you to protect me Chuck, most of all I don't want you to," Eric snapped. He spun around and headed towards the doors again.

"Eric," Chuck called after him, baffled.

"Just leave me alone Chuck," Eric snapped after him as he slammed the double doors open and stormed through, leaving a stung Chuck behind.

Spotted: Martin Grant with shiny silver accessories. Too bad handcuffs don't go well with a varsity football jumper M.

A little lesson for the clueless, never mess with a Bass.

xoxo GG

A/N: I know, a bit late, but I've been so swamped. = (. This would not flow. But at least it's something, and yes I know still no Chuck and Blair sorry. Next chapter I really promise this time. For some reason that scene is giving me a lot of trouble. Anyway thank you so much to all those who reviewed, I really appreciate it. Review and give Chuck a bear hug = ). (Anemones is spelt that way on purpose, just in case you're wondering lol).

Inspiring picture of the chapter: Google "new 233+gossip girl". It's the first pic with Chuck and Nate.